NC Suspension

[Hawat]

I've just spoilt myself with a new NC and I wanted to know (assuming I know nothing about cars would be safe at this point ) how benifical lowering the car really is. As I understand it you reduce roll slightly, stiffen the ride, better the look and make speed bumps your nemisis. But are these benifits worthwhile and do you damage your waranty in the process? In addition do you have to replace both the springs and the shock absorbers or do the Eibachi (sp?) pro kits not drop the car enough to need new shockers.

Thanks.

[Boyracer]

Please read this...will give you most of the info you want.

http://www.aus-cartalk.com/viewtopic.php?t=16124

[ncmx5]

everyone on miata.net have said it is worth it. Im going to hunt down for a set tomorrow. See if they have it in Australia, otherwise ill have to import.

[fig]

Check out Charlie Browns Low NC........

[Hawat]

Does anyone know from experience if spring modifications change your comprehesive insurance much?

[AJ]

if you own up to it, yes it will

[Amanda]

Does anyone know from experience if spring modifications change your comprehesive insurance much?

A few yrs ago I made a claim on a very modified BMW 318, none of the mods were on my policy and they never said a word. Car had sports exhaust, was lowered and 16" rims..... so not alot of mods but enough.

[Sean]

A few yrs ago I made a claim on a very modified BMW 318, none of the mods were on my policy and they never said a word. Car had sports exhaust, was lowered and 16" rims..... so not alot of mods but enough.

SO very modded or not?

[Charlie Brown]

Does anyone know from experience if spring modifications change your comprehesive insurance much?

A little check last month revealed some insurance companies won't insure the car when it's lowered. Others like AAMI had no change in premium costs lowered or standard.

[Hawat]

Care to name names? Or would you then have to kill us?

[Charlie Brown]

Care to name names? Or would you then have to kill us?

http://www.aus-cartalk.com/viewtopic.ph ... ht=allianz

[ncmx5]

Hawat, have you found your springs yet??

CB, hows the springs settling in? Rides nice?

[Hawat]

No I sent a message to MX5 Factory but no response yet. MX5 mania have suggested I talk to Fulltech, but they don't have a web site so I'll have to give them a ring over the next week or so. Can anyone else recomened someone with NC experience to but mazda speed or Eibach springs into an NC?

[smiles]

Definitely tell your insurance about it (perhaps ask before even!).
There's no point hiding something from them, if/when you need to make a claim last thing you want is your policy to be void. I've seen it happen to others with minimal mods and I think you'd be mad not to get it all listed on your policy.

Holding back from them almost makes it a waste of time to even have insurance.

As for lowering your car, most of it is in the look. Not sure on an mx5 but usually anything lower than 15mm would set your handling back and be too stiff for optimal grip on roads.

[Charlie Brown]

No I sent a message to MX5 Factory but no response yet. MX5 mania have suggested I talk to Fulltech, but they don't have a web site so I'll have to give them a ring over the next week or so. Can anyone else recomened someone with NC experience to but mazda speed or Eibach springs into an NC?

Iliv45 has eibachs and is in Melbourne. PM him.

ncmx5, Springs are good. Less body roll and the appearance is vastly improved from the buck-cart height of the standard springs. Did everyone notice that in all the promotional shots of the NC the car is sitting on lowered suspension?

Because it now sits closer to the bump stops the rears can bottom out on very rough roads. You can really notice that the shocks are under damped. Dam Yanks and their smooth roads!

I’m considering some Eibach sways for the next mod followed by adjustable shocks but I will wait a while until more manufacturers get into production to and become price competitive.

Hawat, to answer your question on the big forum about ride height.

The NC is listed by Mazda as having 119mm clearance when laden.
The Mazdaspeed and Eibach springs (which are exactly the same and made by Eibach) will lower the car so that it sits about 103mm from the cross member near the sump to the ground when laden. This is above the legal minimum of 100mm in Australia.
However the plastic spoiler flaps in front of the wheels WILL be lower to the ground than the legal limit. This means if, and it is a big IF on a new car, the boys in blue pull you over and then send you over the RTA pits because they suspect the car is too low, you will have to remove this plastic section to pass.
The King springs that I have installed are exactly the same.

Seems to me that at this stage you are very unsure if you want the car lowered with your questions on warranty, insurance, regulation compliance. Might I suggest you forget lowering the car and just enjoy it as it is.